CC MINS 19950321M I N U T E S
REGULAR MEETING
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
MARCH 21, 1995
1W The meeting was called to
the Hesse Park Community
immediately recessed to a
session agenda checklist.
by the Mayor and followin
roll call was answered as
order at 6:30 P.M. by Mayor Lee Byrd at
Center, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard, and
closed personnel session per the closed
The meeting was reconvened at 7:00 P . M .
[g the Pledge of Allegiance to the f lag,
follows:
PRESENT: LYON, BROOKS, McTAGGART AND MAYOR BYRD
ABSENT: NONE
Also present were City Manager Paul Bussey, Public Works Director
Trent Pulliam, Senior Admin. Analyst Veronica Dolleschel, City
Clerk Jo Purcell, Planning Administrator Carolynn Petru, and City
Attorney Carol Lynch.
CEREMONIAL EVENT (304)
Mayor Byrd presented a Student Recognition Award to Kerry Jo Lee in
recognition of her outstanding academic achievements and
involvement in school activities such as the National Honors
Society, Class President, the Drama Club and the Pep Squad Drill
Team.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Councilwoman Brooks moved, seconded by
Councilwoman Lyon, to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
APPROVAL OF CONSENT CALENDAR:
Lois Larue , 3136 Barkent ine Road, spoke to the following: the Water
Co. markers painted on the curb outside her home and stated her
objection to using telephone number stickers for posting on trash
containers as outlined in the material describing the Used Oil
Grant program.
Councilwoman Brooks moved, seconded by Councilman McTaggart, to
approve the Consent Calendar as follows:
WAIVER OF READING
Adopted a motion to waive reading in full of all ordinances and
resolutions adopted at this meeting with consent to the waiver of
reading deemed to be given by all councilmembers after the reading
of the title.
LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITY - SB 11 UNFUNDED MANDATES
& CELLULAR TONER ZONING PREEMPTION (306 x 1101)
(1) Joined the League of California Cities in supporting SB 11
(Ayala) which proposed to restrict the enactment of unfunded
mandates and AB 1522 (Brewer) which proposed to change the voting
requirements for the election of City Members to the South Coast
Air Quality Management District. (2) Joined the League of
California Cities in opposing proposed federal legislation which
would exempt cellular towers from local zoning restrictions.
RANCHO PALOS VERDES PARR - CONTRACT FOR
STAIRWAY ACCESS (1201 x 1204 )
(1) Awarded a contract to Merit Civil Engineering, Inc. For
professional services related to the design, contract
administration and construction inspection of Rancho Palos Verdes
Park stairway access; and, (2) authorized the Mayor and City Clerk
to execute an agreement with Merit Civil Engineers, Inc. to provide
consultant services at a not to exceed fixed fee of $3,400.
USED OIL GRANT FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION
PROGRAM (12 0 4 K 13 01)
Authorized an expenditure not to exceed $5,000 for preparation and
mailing of a postcard with stickers to all residents as part of the
used oil grant funded public information campaign urging residents
not to dispose of used oil and other hazardous materials in the
trash.
GIFTS FOR PARKS (12 01)
Accepted the gifts for parks donations and directed staff to
prepare letters for the Mayor's signature expressing the Council's
thanks and appreciation.
RESOL. NO. 95 -29 - REGISTER OF DEMANDS
Adopted RESOL. NO. 95 -290
The motion to approve the Consent Calendar carried on the following
roll call vote:
AYES: LYON, BROOKS, McTAGGART AND MAYOR BYRD
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
# # i0E # #
HES88 PARR EBPANSION FOR SENIOR CITIZEN USE (1201)
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
MARCH 21, 1995
PAGE 2
City Manager Bussey presented the memorandum of March 21 and the
recommendation to provide direction to staff concerning future
planning for the expansion of Hesse Park to accommodate office and
storage space for the Peninsula Seniors. Additionally, he reviewed
the January 21, 1995 Joint Work Session with the R &P Committee
wherein the direction to staff was to begin exploring the expansion
of Hesse Park to accommodate the needs of the seniors insofar as
storage and office space was concerned. Continuing, Mr. Bussey
said that in discussing this matter with Mayor Byrd, the Mayor had
requested that the item be placed on the agenda for further
discussion.
Mayor Byrd explained that he is on the Board of Directors of the
Peninsula Seniors and that the Board had authorized their Director
to write to the Community Association of the Peninsula (CAP) and
ask for a reservation of space at the old Post Office on Indian
Peak Road. The earliest such space would be available for the
seniors would be March 1996. Mayor Byrd expressed concern about
spending funds for a study when perhaps there would be another
facility available for the seniors within a year.
Speaking in support of providing the seniors with a facility were
the following speakers: Lois Larue, 3136 Barkentine; Edith
Mayerson, 28825 Trailriders Drive, representing the Senior Center
Ad Hoc Committee; Bill Ritchie, 28543 Blythwood Drive, representing
the Peninsula Seniors; Frank Thrift, 29402 Quailwood Drive,
representing the Peninsula Seniors; and, Sheila Hoff, 28205
Ambergate Drive, representing the League of Women Voters. Ms.
Mayerson presented a petition with 635 signatures in support of
establishing a permanent senior center. Concern was expressed by
these speakers that the seniors be given a permanent facility that
would meet their needs for storage, conducting meetings and also be
equipped with private rooms used for counseling. They questioned
whether the post office building could provide all these features.
Council stated concern for using Measure "A" money and investing it
in a senior center that was not permanent; then there was the
problem of funding the staffing and upkeep, neither of which could
be paid for with Measure "A" funds. It was felt that the seniors
would need to be fiscally self - sustaining before an investment was
made by the City. Discussion pointed out that the other Peninsula
cities should also participate in this cause inasmuch as the
seniors were not only residents of Rancho Palos Verdes. Because an
expansion of 3,000 sq. ft,, had been suggested by one of the
speakers, the discussion then shifted to the cost of such an
expansion and it was agreed that this would not be known until an
architect's proposal had been submitted. The point was made,
however, that perhaps such an amount of footage would rule out the
expansion of Hesse Park but would instead require a separate
building, something which was not contemplated during the January
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
MARCH 2 It 1995
PAGE 3
21 discussions. The suggestion was then made that an ad hoc
committee be formed to assess the needs of the seniors. Mayor Byrd
appointed Councilmembers McTaggart and Lyon to serve as such a
committee. When necessary, that committee could meet with
Recreation & Parks Committee members. Discussion concluded with
the agreement that the Hesse Park Expansion Ad Hoc Committee would
report on April 4 when they can submit a report on this matter to
the Council.
POLICY DIRECTION REGARDING CITY TREE PERMITS (1203 x 1806)
Planning Administrator Petru presented the staff memorandum of
March 21 and the recommendation to review the draft Development
Code language regarding City Tree Permits; provide staff with any
further policy direction; and, forward to the Planning and View
Restoration Commissions for further review as part of the on -going
Development Code revision program.
Derek and Linda Classen, 34120 Admirable Drive, stated their
disagreement with the fee charged to apply for a street tree permit
and questioned why the homeowner was burdened with paying the cost
of removing or trimming city foliage to get their view restored.
They felt that since it was City trees that were blocking their
view, the City should assume the costs associated with removing or
trimming the foliage.
City Manager Bussey explained that there is a early review process
whereby if staff determines that City trees are blocking a view,
the trees will be trimmed and there will be no fee involved. Only
when disagreement occurs is a fee required to continue processing
the street tree permit request.
Council then clarified the process for identifying City trees and
generally how the appeal process worked.
Finally, it was the consensus that where "official" City trees are
blocking views, the City will take the responsibility of trimming
those trees without a fee; in the case of "unofficial" or private
trees planted on public property, then it would be the
responsibility of the claimant to pay the fees. Additionally,
Council requested that the application form and view covenant
document describe the process for the benefit of anybody applying
for tree removal.
FY 95 -96 THROUGH FY 98 -99 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT
PROGRAM CALL FOR PROJECTS (1204 x 1505)
Senior Administrative Analyst Dolleschel presented the staff
memorandum of March 21 and the recommendation that if Council
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
MARCH 21, 1995
PAGE 4
wished to apply for additional funding for local transportation
projects, staff then recommended: (1) Authorizing staff to hire the
firm of Meyer, Mohaddes Associates, Inc. to prepare the
applications to meet the April 3, 1995 submittal deadline; and, (2)
Adopt the proposed resolution Resol. No. 95- Amending Resolution
No. 94 -47, The budget appropriation for fiscal year 1994 -95 for a
budget adjustment to the general fund to provide funding for a
.consultant to prepare the MTA application.
Director Pulliam requested that the Council consider the addition
of the signal synchronization and bus speed improvement project to
the list of projects to be submitted for funding.
Lois Larue stated her concurrence with the funding for
beautification of Palos Verdes Drive South.
Responding to Council's inquiry about the bikeway project, the
consultant in this matter Abbes Mohaddes , said that the study would
focus on-improving the safety of the bikeways and reduce any safety
conflicts that may exist.
The Bike lane on Palos Verdes Drive East then became the topic of
discussion when Director Pulliam reported that it had been
withdrawn in its entirety from the project list because it was
categorized as a class three bikeway. The City of Lomita planned
on improving the bikeway on Narbonne Avenue up to Palos Verdes
Drive North; part of Western Avenue will be improved to a Class two
bikeway and this may encourage bicyclists to use Western Avenue to
Palos Verdes Drive North and not use Palos Verdes Drive East. It
was the consensus that consideration be given to signing Palos
Verdes Drive East to indicate that it was not an improved bikeway
and discourage its use as such.
Council then proceed to act on the following projects: (1) Bikeway
Signing & Striping - approved. (2) Silver Spur Road Widening /Bus
Turnout - approved, with direction to get the cooperation from the
City of Rolling Hills Estates and the School District. Motion made
by Councilman McTaggart, seconded by Councilwoman Brooks and
carried. (3) Regional Commuter Ridesharing Services - Denied
application. (4) Palos Verdes Drive South /West Scenic Road
Designation /Median Enhancement - approved on motion of Councilwoman
Brooks, seconded by Councilman McTaggart and carried. (5) Shuttle
Bus Service from the Peninsula Center to the Redondo Beach Transit
Center /South Bay Galleria - approved the mayor sending a letter of
support for the application of Redondo Beach. (6) Signal
Synchronization - approved participation in funding local match
portion of project.
Councilman McTaggart moved, seconded by Councilwoman Brooks to
approve application for these projects based upon the City paying
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
MARCH 21, 1995
PAGE 5
20% matching funds and to ADOPT RESOL. NO. 95 -30 AMENDING
RESOLUTION NO. 94 -47, THE BUDGET APPROPRIATION FOR FISCAL YEAR
1994 -95 FOR A BUDGET ADJUSTMENT TO THE GENERAL FUND TO PROVIDE
FUNDING FOR CONSULTANT TO PREPARE MTA APPLICATIONS. The motion
carried on the following roll call vote:
AYES: LYON, McTAGGART, BROOKS & MAYOR BYRD
NOES: NONE
RECESS & RECONVENE: At 8:45 P . M. Mayor Byrd declared a recess; the
meeting reconvened at 8:00 P.M.
PROCEDURE FOR THE ISSUANCE OF A COASTAL
PERMIT DEMOLITION OF MARINELAND
SKY TOWER (12 0 3 X 18 0 4)
Planning Administrator Petru summarized the staff memorandum of
March 21 and procedure for issuance of a coastal permit for the
demolition of the sky tower at Long Point by the York Capital Group
who submitted an application to the City for Coastal Permit No.
126. Ms. Petru went on to explain that all requests for coastal
permits are processed by the City pursuant to Chapter 17.67 of the
Municipal code.
Continuing, she said that the demolition of the Sky Tower was
appealable to the California Coastal Commission. Further, since
the demolition permit could be granted at an administrative level,
the coastal permit would be subject to review through a public
hearing conducted by the City's hearing Officer (Director of
Planning, Bldg. & Code Enforcement) . Notice for such a hearing
would be issued a minimum of 15 days prior to the hearing and would
be mailed to the applicant, all interested parties, all property
owners and residents within 100 ft. of the subject property and,
the California Coastal Commission. All interested parties would
be heard at the public hearing and given the opportunity to appear
and express their views. After the hearing, the hearing officer
would then make a decision on the Coastal Permit and notice of that
decision would be mailed to the aforesaid parties. That decision
could be appealed to the Planning Commission but must be received
within 15 days of the Hearing Officer's decision. No fee could be
charged for such an appeal; similarly the Planning Commission's
decision could be appealed to the City Council. Exhaustion of all
City appeal opportunities is required before a Coastal Permit could
be appealed to the California Coastal Commission unless a
procedural error has been made by the City.
Finally, within seven days of the City's final decision, the City
must provide a written notice to the Coastal Commission and any
interested party who has specifically requested notification of
such final act ion . If the City approved the Coastal Permit and all
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MARCH 21, 19 9 5
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City appeal opportunities had been exhausted, any interested party
could appeal the Coastal Permit to the California Coastal
Commission. If no appeal was filed within ten working days, the
City's decision would be final and the demolition permit could be
granted by the City.
Councilwoman Brooks moved, seconded by Councilwoman Lyon to receive
and file the report. Motion carried.
APPOINTMENT TO VECTOR CONTROL BOARD (306 x 801)
City Manager Bussey presented March 21 memorandum and the
recommendation to appoint a member of the City Council to the Los
Angeles West Vector Control District.
Councilwoman Lyon moved, seconded by Councilwoman Brooks, to
appoint Councilwoman Brooks to serve on this board. Councilman
McTaggart then stated that he would like to serve on this board
also. Councilwoman Lyon's motion died on a two - two tie vote with
Councilmembers McTaggart and Byrd voting in opposition.
A brief discussion then ensued relative to whether a delegate and
alternate could be appointed to the board. The matter was tabled
to another meeting and in the meantime staff was directed to
inquired about the delegate /alternate arrangement.
AUDIENCE COMMENT: Responding to the Mayor's call for comments on
items not on the agenda was Bobbie Pine, Vice President of the Mesa
Palos Verdes Homeowners Association who stated that organization's
suggestion that the Council adopt an ordinance requiring the
registration and licensing of horses; another ordinance governing
the boarding of horses could be adopted at a later time.
Lois Larue expressed her concern about what she felt were flooding
condition in McCarrell Canyon its effect on the surrounding
neighborhood.
ADJOURNMENT: At 9:12 P.M. the meeting adjourned on motion of
Councilwoman Brooks.
ATTEST:
Ni
CITY CLERK
MAYOR
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
MARCH 21, 19 9 5
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